Christmas Eve: New Traditions

Once upon a time, Robby and I used to host Christmas Eve. Robby has to work on Christmas Eve, so we are never sure what time he will be home. The children would wear their Christmas outfits, Santa fly by and leave one present for each of them to open, and they would go to bed in their Christmas pj's. Melissa spent Christmas Eve with her in-laws, so it was a smaller family gathering and "our event". The past two years Christmas Eve has been moved from one location to another in an attempt to find a new normal.

This year, in the morning we got to celebrate with Peyton and Reagan! Santa made an early stop in Tucson to deliver their presents, with the promise he would be back for our little ones later! :) We spent time opening presents, decorating cookies, and just enjoying being together. Our time together passed very quickly and before we knew it the girls had to go home.

So happy to be able to spend the morning together!

Peyton and her new Barbie wedding set.

Miss Reagan and her 3 new purses filled with Christmas treasures.

She does not want to share her treasures! :)

Enjoying decorating Christmas cookies!

The "babies"...they aren't so little anymore.

Someone loves Reagan's new puppy!

Christmas Eve 2011

We were invited to attend a family friend's Christmas Eve charity dinner at her house in Phoenix. We agreed to attend with very mixed feelings. Although we knew the family would have a great time, Robby and I were not looking forward to the 2 hour drive to northern Phoenix...and a very late night when we made the drive back home. The drive up went smoothly and relatively quickly. We made a quick pit stop to change the kids into their Christmas Eve finery and then arrived at our destination.

T.C.'s house

Maybe Santa will appear later???

The pool area

My munchkins in Christmas outfits!

Who is ready to party?!?

I AM!!!

Ready to shoot some hoops!

Katie with her girls!

Daddy and his boys!

A chocolate smile that melts my heart!

Enjoying the kids area!

Now we get to explore the pool area!

Golf anyone?!?

Wee!

(Don't look at his pants! It's just evidence of the fun he had

climbing on the play structure.)

Our Family 2011

Nana and Uncle Paul

We can reach it if we try!!!

Bobby the Slugger takes a shot!

Katie takes a whack at the pinata!

Last. but not least, Andy's turn with the whacking stick!

Scooping up the goodies...notice Bobby's hood as he crouched

under the pinata! (Gotta save some for later! :))

Katie joins the carollers for a song!

Santa made a quick stop and had a gift for each

child. Bobby's name was the first one called!

Bobby got Madden 2012 for the Wii.

Katie got a puppy...NOT a real one!

Andy got Mater's garage.

Santa stopped by our house too and unloaded his bag!

"Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!"

We had a fantastic time and made some wonderful new Christmas Eve memories! T.C.'s house was incredible and the evening was put together with Christmas magic in mind. We have all agreed that THIS is our new Christmas Eve tradition. (Maybe next year I can be in a few more phots...gotta teach my hubby a few photo tricks!) Until next year...